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What the heck is this thing? A round euphonium?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Small-Silver-Sousap ... dZViewItem

I think most of these tiny sousa configurations are pitched the same as Bb baritones. Some of the larger ones might be Eb tubas.

Looking at the length of the 2nd valve tubing, I'd guess Eb. Not short enough to ba a Bb, third valve isn't anywhere near a BBb

Here's what the seller told me when I asked:

I know for a fact that this was used by the Hermines Midget Band from the late 30' and early 40's. You can pull up this band on Google.

One of the last surviving members died last summer.

To the best of my knowledge, this plays in Bb. The only thing that is written on the horn is: The Buescher Eclkhart, Ind.

from the eBay page

Small silver sousaphone with a brass bell.
Bell is 14 1/2 inches across.

Completely refurbished by a pro.

This is from the 30's. In excellent condition. Nice mellow tone.
This horn plays in Bb.

Original box in fair but solid condition. This is an old wooden box,fairly heavy for shipping, 30 lbs. Can ship with or without box.

It's in B-flat. I guess it plays in euphonium/baritone horn/trombone register.



When all else fails, read the copy.

Jupiter made some of these "Baritone Sousaphones" somewhat recently. I want three for me and my euphonium quartet. Our tuba guy already has one in his octave. I say I want three... but I don't want to pay for them!

(They also made a tiny alto horn sized sousaphone)

aha.......do they do the same for trumpets?

You can usually tell if the seller knows what he's talking about if he uses standard musical terms without resorting to those he has made up himself. Yeah, I know about the sellers who can't tell a sousaphone from double-belled euphonium. It's usually fairly obvious.

I will settle the question of what key this plays in, and what range, once I receive it. I know that I am out of my mind, but I just couldn't resist buying this.

Not that long ago, the little Barcone kid's sousaphones in Bb weren't that uncommon. Wonder where they all went?

Thanks Joe for not bidding it up. I got it today, and it is definitely a baritone. It even came with a trombone/baritone mouthpiece. It has a few small dents and is missing one of the bell screws, but everything else is there. It does have nice Buescher engraving on the side of the bell that the seller must have missed. I've played it a little and it sounds great and has good intonation. It has a smallish 0.565" bore, but can put out a ton of sound with its 14.5" bell.

Here's a photo of it next to my Conn 28K Eb sousaphone for perspective.



It should be fun to take to at least one TubaChristmas next year.